Saints Baptist John the Forerunner and Venerable Olympias of Constantinople. Wooden orthodox icon.
The original icon dates back to the late 19th century and was painted by iconographer Mikhail Ivanovich Dikaryov.
Saint Olympias the Deaconess
Saint Olympias was the daughter of Senator Anysius Secundus and the granddaughter of the famous Eparch Eulalius. From a young age, she was betrothed to a nobleman but remained unmarried after his sudden death, choosing a life of virginity and charity. She inherited great wealth, which she generously distributed to the poor, widows, orphans, churches, monasteries, and hospitals.
In 381, Patriarch Nectarius ordained her as a deaconess, and she faithfully served the Church. She assisted many visiting bishops, including Saint Gregory the Theologian and Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus. Saint John Chrysostom highly esteemed her, and she deeply mourned his unjust exile. Because of her support for him, Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria persecuted her, falsely accusing her and imposing heavy fines. In 405, she was exiled to Nicomedia, where she endured great suffering and passed away in 409.
After her death, she appeared in a dream to the Bishop of Nicomedia, instructing him to place her body in a wooden coffin and cast it into the sea. The coffin miraculously washed ashore near Constantinople, and her relics were later enshrined in a convent she had founded. Her incorrupt relics became a source of miracles and healings.
Saint John the Baptist
Saint John the Baptist was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth through divine intervention, as they were elderly and childless. When King Herod ordered the massacre of infants in Bethlehem, Elizabeth fled with John into the wilderness, while Zechariah was martyred in the Temple for refusing to reveal their whereabouts.
John lived an ascetic life in the desert, preparing for his prophetic mission. At about 30 years old, he began preaching repentance on the banks of the Jordan River, baptizing people in preparation for the coming of Christ. He later baptized Jesus Himself, witnessing the Holy Spirit descend upon Him.
John continued his ministry but was imprisoned by Herod Antipas for condemning his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. During a banquet, Salome, Herodias’s daughter, danced for Herod, who rashly promised her anything she wished. At her mother’s urging, she requested John’s head on a platter. Though reluctant, Herod ordered John’s beheading.
John’s disciples buried his body, while his head was secretly preserved. Later, when Herod heard of Christ’s miracles, he feared that John had risen from the dead. In 362, most of John's relics were destroyed by Emperor Julian the Apostate, except for his head and right hand.
The icon is made by printing on a wooden board. Paints are mineral, do not fade with time. The thickness of the board is 2 cm. The board is covered with primer by hand. The image is covered with wax. Each icon has a metal mount on the back side so that you can hang the icon on the wall. The icon has no recess, the surface is smooth.
You can buy the icon in three sizes:
- 13 х 11 centimeters (5,1 x 4,3 inches)
- 19 х 16 centimeters (7,5 x 6,3 inches)
- 26 х 22 centimeters (10,2 x 8,7 inches)
Our icons are made by Orthodox craftsmen. You can read more about the technology here.
We hope it will be a good gift for you and your loved ones.
